Writing Instruction

Question 1

Connotation

Answer 1

the implied meaning of a word; the feeling a word conveys

Describing a person as “shrewd” may make them feel negatively, even though the definition (sharp-witted, intelligent) is positive.

Question 2

Denotative Meaning

Answer 2

a literal, dictionary meaning of a word

Question 3

Metacognition

Answer 3

the ability to think about one’s own thought process

Question 4

Author’s Purpose

Answer 4

The author’s intention for writing. Could be persuasive, narrative, expository, or informative. Organization and style choices should reflect the purpose for writing.

Question 5

Argumentative Writing

Answer 5

writing meant to persuade the reader to agree with the conclusions of the author

Question 6

Transition Words

Answer 6

Phrases and words used to link sentences, paragraphs, and ideas together. ex- First, next, last, on the other hand

Question 7

Thesis Statement

Answer 7

a statement included in the introduction of a paper which makes a specific claim and provides a preview as to what will follow in the paper. ex- A science student writes the following thesis statement in response to the question, “Is global warming a problem?” “Environmentalists agree that global climate change is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately.”

Question 8

Irony

Answer 8

an incongruity between what the reader expects the author to mean and what they actually mean

Question 9

Writing Process

Answer 9

The steps a writer goes through to compose a finished, polished text. ex- Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing

Question 10

Symbolism

Answer 10

When an item stands for an idea or larger meaning. Usually used throughout a piece of literature. ex- dove = peace, red rose = love and romance

Question 11

Writing Feedback

Answer 11

comments and assessments given to students to improve their writing

Question 12

Semicolon

Answer 12

a punctuation mark indicating a a more pronounced pause than the one indicated by a comma, and that joins two clauses. ex- I’m going home; it’s just too late.

Question 13

Voice (Writing)

Answer 13

the unique outlook and expressed personality of an author. ex- Hemingway had a macho sensibility that infused his writing voice.

Question 14

Hypotheses

Answer 14

an assumption made to verify itself. ex- Drinking soda makes you fat. (An experiment would then follow to prove or disprove the idea.)

Question 15

Chronological Order

Answer 15

An organizational approach that follows an orderly progression of events based in time.

Question 16

Colon

Answer 16

a punctuation mark placed before a list of items, a quotation, expansion, or explanation. ex- I’ve been to every town in Pennsylania: Piitsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Scranton, Lancaster.

Question 17

Exit Slips

Answer 17

A short formative assessment given by a teacher after completing a lesson to determine the degree to which students have learned the material taught in the lesson.

Question 18

Cause and Effect

Answer 18

a writing method in which the author explains reasons why something happened or the effects of something that has happened. ex- A politician’s speech in which all of the bad actions of an opponent are listed to argue that the politician should be elected instead.

Question 19

Clarity / Word Choice

Answer 19

Use of vocabulary or other organizational choices to ensure the intended meaning comes through.

Question 20

Recursive

Answer 20

repeated application of a process, such as writing

Question 21

Verbal Irony

Answer 21

contrast between what is said and what is meant

Question 22

Audience

Answer 22

The intended recipient of a written or verbal communication. ex- When writing lesson plans, your students are your audience. A student writing a research presentation would have both his classmates and the teacher as an audience

Question 23

Satire

Answer 23

the use of humor or exaggeration to critique human nature or a character

Question 24

Dramatic Irony

Answer 24

When the audience/reader knows something the character does not. ex- When the audience sees the Road Runner paint a hole in the side of a cliff, but Wile E Coyote continues to run ahead at full speed towards the “hole.”

Question 25

Rubric

Answer 25

A scoring guide based on several criteria rather than a single numerical score

Question 26

Recurring Theme

Answer 26

the repetition of a theme/image throughout the story to symbolize meaning.

Question 27

Foreshadowing

Answer 27

the narrator or character hints at a future plot point

Question 28

Situational Irony

Answer 28

discrepancy between what happens and what the reader expects to happen

Question 29

Mentor Text

Answer 29

Books or other pieces of literature that are revisited throughout the school year for different purposes in literacy instruction. ex- Due to its unique narrative and abundance of figurative language, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen is a popular mentor text to use in a language arts classroom.

Question 30

Blog

Answer 30

A website where writers post entries and readers can make comments

Question 31

Portfolio

Answer 31

A collection of student’s work and achievements that is used to assess past accomplishments and future potential; can include finished work in a variety of media and can contain materials from several courses over time

Question 32

Analogies

Answer 32

are used to compare two things that are usually thought of as different but have something in common. ex- hand is to glove as foot is to sock

Question 33

Organizational Structure

Answer 33

Text structure can include cause/effect, problem/solution, main idea/details, and/or sequence

Students often find problem/solution text structure as more interesting.

Question 34

Explicit Teaching

Answer 34

the process of teaching by communicating clear expectations and giving specific feedback to students

Question 35

Descriptive Writing

Answer 35

Used to create detailed descriptions of people, places, and things. Descriptive writing is also develops the mood and atmosphere of the text.

Question 36

Compare and Contrast

Answer 36

An organizational approach where the author provides similarities and differences about two ideas

Question 37

Style (Writing)

Answer 37

the technical preferences of an author’s writing. ex- Hemingway wrote prose in short sentences that distinguished his writing style.

Question 38

Writing Conventions

Answer 38

The basic rules of written language, including grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

proper grammar

Question 39

Precise (Writing)

Answer 39

in writing, a sentence that contains specific details and avoids wordy descriptions. ex- turquoise instead of light bluish green

Question 40

Understatement

Answer 40

when the author minimizes a significant point for effect

Question 41

Concise (Writing)

Answer 41

in writing, a sentence that is brief but still contains all necessary information